Saudi Arabia and Iran Swap Accusations As Tensions Persist

Shi’ite Muslim Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia are enmeshed in a struggle for influence across the Middle East and they support opposing sides in political disputes across the region.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Pull Back Again On Weak Global Lead

Dubai’s bourse dropped 1.2 per cent as most stocks pulled back while heavyweights such as Emaar Properties and Arabtec Holding fell slightly.

Oman’s Bank Sohar Scraps Convertible Bond, Plans OMR40m Rights Issue

The lender said that its board had decided against issuing the convertible “due to uncertainty regarding its eligibility as an additional Tier 1 instrument”.

UAE Economy Ministry Says Falling Oil Prices Won’t Hurt 2014 GDP

The official said that the fall in oil prices will not deeply impact UAE’s GDP growth since the country is economically diversified with oil accounting for less than 30 per cent of the GDP.

Majority Of UAE Workers Say IT Security Policies Hinder Productivity

Around 20 per cent of the employees polled in the UAE said that IT security policies made it harder for them to do their job, a new survey shows.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Meets Expectations With 6.6% Q3 Profit Gain

The lender said it made SAR461.8 million ($123.1 million) in the three months to September 30 compared with SAR433.3 million in the corresponding quarter of 2013.

Oman’s Raysut Cement Posts 17.8% Q3 Net Profit Increase

The company made OMR5.3 million ($13.8 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, compared with OMR4.5 million in the corresponding period of last year.

Oman Cement Q3 Net Profit Drops 39.5%

The cement producer made a net profit after tax of OMR2.3 million ($6.0 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, compared with OMR3.8 million in the corresponding period of 2013.

Dubai’s Emaar Says Looks To Sell Land Plot, No Deal Yet

Emaar said the sale of the land, which is yet to be concluded, was in the “normal course of business”.

CDC Sees Low Ebola Risk In Passengers Pulled From Dubai Flight

Five passengers with flu-like symptoms were removed from the Emirates flight that arrived at Boston Airport on Monday.

U.S., Saudi Arabia Hit Militant Targets In Syria -U.S. Military

Strikes destroyed a machine gun firing position, a militant unit, damaged a staging location and several buildings.

Banque Saudi Fransi Q3 Net Profit Jumps 35%

The bank said it made SAR926 million ($246.9 million) in the three months ending September 30, compared with SAR685 million in the same period a year earlier.

Abu Dhabi Plans Single Mobile Platform For E-Govt Services By 2015

Currently around 30 public entities are offering their services on mobiles, a senior official confirmed.

Dubai To Offer Free WiFi At Its Public Parks And Beaches

The move is expected improve the ratings on the happiness index that was launched by Sheikh Mohammed earlier this week.

UAE Govt Approves Higher Federal Spending For 2015

The projected federal spending of Dhs49.1 billion is up from Dhs46 billion in the original budget for 2014.

Kuwait’s Agility Says Unit Wins $82.5m British Defence Ministry Contract

The contract, secured by Agility Defense and Government Services, will run from October 2014 to April 2016, the company said in a statement.

Privately, Saudis Tell Oil Market: Get Used To Lower Prices

The Saudis now appear to be betting that a period of lower prices will be necessary to pave the way for higher revenue in the medium term.

Kuwait Says OPEC Unlikely To Cut Output To Support Prices

Kuwait’s oil minister Ali al-Omair said that cutting output would not necessarily prop up prices.

Accor Announces Three Jeddah Properties

Today’s trio takes the French Group’s Middle East portfolio to 100 hotels

Stock News: Saudi Arabia Shares Tumble, Dubai Extends Drop

Dubai plunged 6.7 per cent, Abu Dhabi slid 2.1 per cent and Qatar dropped 2.7 per cent.

Saudi Arabia’s Almarai Q3 Profit Rises 13.4%

Almarai made a profit of SAR539.4 million ($143.8 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, up from SAR475.6 million in the year-earlier period

Live: Updates From Gitex 2014

All the news and views from the region’s biggest ICT event.

Egypt Has Paid Back $500m To Qatar – Central Bank Governor

Qatar has provided around $7.5 billion in loans and grants during ex-president Mohammed Mursi’s year in power.

Air Berlin Dealt Blow As Germany Rejects Some Etihad Codeshare Flights

Etihad and Air Berlin have in the past shared codes on flights to around 60 destinations, meaning their number of shared flights will more than halve.

Saudi Arabia Tells OPEC It Raised Output In Sept Despite Oil Drop

The lack of a Saudi cut could add to perceptions of traders and analysts that the Kingdom is looking to defend market share, not prices.

Airbus Says Still Plans To Deliver First A350 In Q4

After gaining European safety approval for the A350 last month, Airbus is now working to get the cabin furnishing ready for Qatar Airways.

Sudden IPO Rush Threatens UAE Listings Market Revival

After five years without an IPO of notable size, Emaar Malls Group attracted orders worth more than $47 billion for its $1.58 billion Dubai listing last month.

UAE Retailers Go Omni-Channel Amidst Tough Competition

As the UAE’s shifts to omni-channel retail, industry players will have to innovate to keep pace.

Bahrain Activist To Stand Trial On Defamation Charge

Rajab is accused of “insulting the the Interior and Defence Ministries” through his social media account.

Dubai’s Meraas Says Hollywood Theme Park Will Have DreamWorks Animation Zone

The upcoming mega Dubai Parks and Resorts project features five theme parks including Hollywood and Bollywood-inspired parks.